My favorite project to make for any baby near or here is a blanket. It takes much longer to outgrow than a garment and can be used much more often. Worked in a neutral color, Nested would make a good gift for parents not finding out the gender of their baby or as an heirloom to be handed from one sibling to another. Worked in a more declarative color, it will show off the sweet knit and purl texture to great effect. One could even work the center in a neutral and work the border to your preferred depth after the babe arrives!

Yarn
large border version: approximately 1225 yds of fingering yarn
small border version: approximately 525 yds of fingering yarn
(Samples shown used 7 skeins/1225 yds of Koigu Premium Merino in color 2331, and 3 skeins/525 yds of Koigu Premium Merino in color 2290)

Needles & Notions
1 set size 4 US/3.5mm 40″ circular needle
stitch markers
tapestry needle
smooth waste yarn for provisional cast-on
crochet hook for provisional cast-on

Finished Size
large border version: 30″ x 30″
small border version: 24″ x 24″
Gauge
5.5 sts = 1″, blocked

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Inspired by traditional patchwork quilt blocks, this geometric blanket combines garter stitch, modular knitting, and mitered decreases in a modern shape. The blanket begins with the center square and is worked outward seamlessly, ending with an i-cord “binding.” This new spin on a classic motif is cozy yet elegant.

Yarn
approximately 1500 yds (1372m) worsted weight yarn
(Sample shown used 3 skeins each of The Fibre Company Canopy Worsted in the following colors: blue quandons, paw paw, wild ginger, palm bud and chiclet tree)

Needles & Notions
size 8 US/5mm needles
stitch markers
tapestry needle

Finished Size
40″ square

Gauge
4 sts = 1″ in garter

Click on the button below to buy a copy of the pattern. This pattern is part of an interactive eMag which includes 5 other patterns, plus articles and yarn reviews. Thanks!

$9.99

This project fulfilled the need for a lovely gift in a short amount of time.

With a simple lace that creates a sharp chevron and color changes that are made one strand at a time to gradually blend into one another, this blanket is easy enough for the beginner knitter but charming enough for an experienced one.

The yarn is held triple stranded to create a dense fabric and large stitches for fast and warm knitting. Because of the triple stranding and chevron stitch pattern Two Weeks in February would look wonderful in hand-dyed, multicolored or even scrap yarn.

Yarn
approximately 726 yds each of light weight worsted wool in 7 colors
(Sample shown used 3 skeins each Aracania Nature wool in the following colors: color #19 (dark brown); color #14 (medium brown); color #8 (honey brown); color #26 (orange); color #33 (red orange); color #25 (red); color #34 (red purple))

Needles & Notions
size 13 US/9mm circular needles at least 24″ or longer
tapestry needle

Finished Size
45″ x 50″

Gauge
with 3 strands held together 
20 sts (1 motif) = 6″
8 rows = 3″

If midwinter drafts are making you dream of cozy hand knits and you want a project you can finish before the thaw, then click on the button below to buy a copy. It will be sent to you in a PDF file via email after payment is made. Thanks!

$5.50